Jenny Harrison’s first book, Debbie’s Story, a biography of childhood sexual abuse, made a huge impact when published in South Africa. It was an inspirational book that appeared at the right time and in the right place. On her arrival in New Zealand in 1997, Jenny co-wrote an immigration guide book, A New Life in New Zealand, which seems to have become the preferred textbook for emigrants. Fiction then became an area to explore and conquer. Accidental Hero is Jenny’s third novel written under the nom de plume Wren Harris. It is a hilarious romp that pokes gentle fun at an assortment of Kiwi screwballs, saints, and sinners. Here Jenny gives us her ‘three of the best’: Find Accidental Hero at www.publishmeshop.co.nz
Cannery Rowby John Steinbeck I frequently return to this book for its purity of language and vivid description. A story of camaraderie, in linked vignettes, tells of a group of homeless guys dossing down in an abandoned shed they call “The Palace Flophouse and Grill”. They try to throw the perfect party for their friend, Doc, with disastrous but hilarious results. Steinbeck’s sub-plots are poignant and his characters are sweetly etched. Mack and the boys, Doc, Lee Chong and others are unforgettable.
Empty Cradlesby Margaret Humphreys Social worker Margaret Humphreys can be credited with breaking open the horrendous story of Britain’s Lost Children. An estimated 150,000 children were shipped out of children’s homes to a ‘new life’ in distant parts of the Empire. Many were told they were orphans although very few were. They were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their carers, particularly in Australia. Humphreys revealed this shocking secret and named those who abused these most vulnerable of ‘exports’. A must-read.
Plotby Ansen Dibell I never stop learning how to write and this is one book that has the most highlighting and annotations of all those on my shelves. Chapters on exposition, subplots, pacing, and transitions help me hone my craft and give me insight into the technical difficulties of writing. This isn’t a book for the beginner but rather for a writer who has mastered the initial lessons of dialogue and characterisation. I read it through whenever I get stuck. It gets read a lot.
Jenny Harrison’s first book, Debbie’s Story, a biography of childhood sexual abuse, made a huge impact when published in South Africa. It was an inspirational book that appeared at the right time and in the right place. On her arrival in New Zealand in 1997, Jenny co-wrote an immigration guide book, A New Life in New Zealand, which seems to have become the preferred textbook for emigrants. Fiction then became an area to explore and conquer. Accidental Hero is Jenny’s third novel written under the nom de plume Wren Harris. It is a hilarious romp that pokes gentle fun at an assortment of Kiwi screwballs, saints, and sinners. Here Jenny gives us her ‘three of the best’:
